My Favorite Essential Oils
I have owned a lot of essential oils over the years.
Some I loved instantly.
Some I forgot in a drawer.
Some I thought I would love and then never touched again.
This post is about the oils that stuck.
The ones I genuinely use.
The ones you see half empty.
The ones I rebuy without overthinking it.
I am not an aromatherapist.
I am a real person who likes good smells, practical uses, and oils that actually do something noticeable.
I also like being honest.
So if something is intense, annoying, or not for beginners, I will say it.
This is not a minimalist list.
But it is a realistic one.
Why essential oils are part of my daily life
I did not get into essential oils because of trends.
I got into them because I wanted natural ways to support my mood, my digestion, my nervous system, and my home environment.
Also because I love ritual.
Smell is powerful.
It goes straight to your brain without asking permission.
Some oils wake me up better than coffee.
Some calm me down when my mind will not stop.
Some make a room feel clean, grounded, or cozy.
I do not use oils to replace medical care.
I use them to support everyday life.
And yes, sometimes I just use them because they smell amazing.
The essential oils I use the most
Here are my core favorites:
- Peppermint
- Lemongrass
- Pine
- Tea tree
- Cinnamon
- Myrrh
- Vetiver
- Cedarwood
- Eucalyptus
- Jasmine absolute
Each one has a personality.
Some are loud.
Some are grounding.
Some are comforting.
Some are a little unhinged in the best way.
Let’s go one by one.
Peppermint oil
The oil that never disappoints
Peppermint is the oil I recommend to everyone.
It is simple.
It is effective.
It does not try to be mysterious.
How I use it
- A drop on the temples for headaches
- Smelled straight from the bottle when I feel nauseous
- In the diffuser when I need mental clarity
- On the stomach diluted when digestion feels off
Peppermint wakes you up.
It clears the head.
It feels clean and sharp.
If essential oils had personalities, peppermint would be the friend who tells you the truth and hands you water.
Personal note
This is one of the first oils I ever used consistently.
It still holds up.
Lemongrass oil
Fresh, clean, and slightly aggressive
Lemongrass is not subtle.
If you like gentle citrus, this is not that.
It is grassy.
Sharp.
Almost soapy in a good way.
How I use it
- Cleaning sprays
- Diffusing when the house feels heavy
- Mixed with eucalyptus for a spa smell
- In summer for a fresh atmosphere
Lemongrass makes a space feel reset.
Like opening all the windows at once.
Tip
Use less than you think.
This oil can dominate a blend very fast.
Pine oil
Walking through a forest without leaving home
Pine oil smells exactly like trees.
Not candle trees.
Real trees.
It feels grounding and expansive at the same time.
How I use it
- Diffusing in winter
- Blended with cedarwood for grounding
- When I miss nature or feel stuck indoors
Pine helps me breathe deeper.
It makes my chest feel open.
Personal note
This is one of those oils I did not expect to love.
Now I crave it in colder months.
Tea tree oil
Practical and not here to be pretty
Tea tree is not a cozy oil.
It is a functional oil.
It smells medicinal.
Strong.
Clean.
How I use it
- Spot treatments diluted
- Scalp oil blends
- Cleaning sprays
- When someone in the house is sick
This oil earns its place.
Comparison
If lavender is comforting, tea tree is efficient.
You do not use it for vibes.
You use it because it works.
Cinnamon oil
Comforting but not for beginners
Cinnamon oil smells like baking.
But stronger.
Much stronger.
It is warming and energizing.
How I use it
- One drop in large diffuser blends
- Holiday blends
- Mixed with clove and orange
This oil makes a space feel alive.
Personal opinion
I love cinnamon oil.
But I treat it like hot sauce.
A little goes a very long way.
Myrrh oil
Deep, ancient, and grounding
Myrrh is not trendy.
It feels old.
Sacred.
Slow.
This is an oil I use when I want to feel anchored.
How I use it
- Meditation blends
- Mixed with frankincense
- When I feel emotionally scattered
Myrrh has weight to it.
It brings things down into the body.
Personal note
This is not an everyday oil for me.
But when I need it, nothing else compares.
Vetiver oil
Earthy, smoky, and deeply calming
Vetiver is not for everyone.
It smells like soil.
Roots.
Smoke.
But if your nervous system is fried, vetiver is magic.
How I use it
- One drop on feet diluted before bed
- Mixed with cedarwood
- When anxiety feels physical
Vetiver brings you back into your body.
Personal experience
This oil helps me sleep better than almost anything else.
Cedarwood oil
Soft, woody, and comforting
Cedarwood is one of my most used oils.
It is gentle.
Warm.
Grounding without being heavy.
How I use it
- Bedtime blends
- Hair oil blends
- Mixed with vetiver or pine
Cedarwood feels like stability.
Eucalyptus oil
Clear, fresh, and energizing
Eucalyptus is clean and sharp.
It opens everything.
How I use it
- Shower steam
- Diffusing when congested
- Mixed with peppermint
This oil makes breathing feel easier.
Jasmine absolute
Rich, floral, and emotionally powerful
Jasmine absolute is special.
It is not cheap.
It is not light.
It is deeply sensual and emotional.
How I use it
- Diluted in jojoba as a perfume
- Emotional support
- When I need comfort and confidence
Jasmine is not a background oil.
It is a main character.
Personal note
This oil feels like self love in scent form.
Comparison table
Quick overview of my favorites
| Essential Oil | Best For | Vibe | Beginner Friendly |
|---|---|---|---|
| Peppermint | Headaches, digestion, focus | Fresh, sharp | Yes |
| Lemongrass | Cleaning, energy, fresh air | Bright, strong | Yes |
| Pine | Grounding, breathing | Forest, fresh | Yes |
| Tea Tree | Skin care, cleaning | Medicinal, clean | Yes |
| Cinnamon | Warmth, cozy blends, energy | Spicy, sweet | No |
| Myrrh | Meditation, emotional grounding | Deep, resinous | Medium |
| Vetiver | Anxiety, sleep, nervous system | Earthy, smoky | Medium |
| Cedarwood | Sleep, grounding, hair care | Soft, woody | Yes |
| Eucalyptus | Congestion, clarity | Clean, energizing | Yes |
| Jasmine Absolute | Emotional support, confidence | Rich, floral | Medium |
How I choose quality essential oils
This matters.
A lot.
I look for:
- Latin name on the bottle
- Country of origin
- Dark glass bottles
- Brands with testing transparency
Cheap oils often smell flat.
Or weird.
Or artificial.
I would rather own fewer oils that are good.
My favorite beginner blends
For stress
- Frankincense
- Cedarwood
- A touch of vetiver
For energy
- Peppermint
- Lemongrass
- Eucalyptus
For sleep
- Cedarwood
- Vetiver
- Frankincense
Safety tips I follow
- I dilute oils and do not use them straight
- I do not ingest oils
- I use less than I think
- I avoid strong oils around kids and pets
Essential oils are powerful.
Respect them.
FAQ
Are essential oils safe?
When used properly, yes. Exercise caution, do not ingest them or put them directly into your skin without diluting them.
Dilution and education matter.
Can I use them every day?
Some yes.
Some no.
Listen to your body and start slowly. Some can cause a headache if you use too many drops.
Why do some oils feel overwhelming?
They are concentrated plant chemistry.
Less is more.
What carrier oils do you use?
Jojoba.
Fractionated coconut oil.
Sweet almond.
Are absolutes different from essential oils?
Yes. Absolutes are solvent extracted and much richer therefore you need less drops (1 or 2).
Final thoughts
Essential oils are not magic.
But they are powerful tools.
They support mood.
Ritual.
Comfort.
Focus.
The oils I keep are the ones that earned their place.
Not because they are trendy.
But because I reach for them again and again.
